The Hawaiian Island of Oahu is gorgeous but even a land lover like I is intrigued by the mystique of the ocean. Similar to other tropical islands water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing and water tubing are available throughout the island. However, in Hawaii you can also learn how to ride the waves like an islander. Hawaiian Fire Surf lessons are the best way to learn how to surf without embarrassing yourself or getting injured.
While staying on Oahu at Disney’s Aulani Resort I signed my wife up for Surf Lessons with Hawaiian Fire Surf School. The lessons were $100 and lasted about two hours. The lessons were given at Kalaeloa Beach Park which was close to our resort. As a student all we were required to bring was a swimsuit, towel and sun screen for the start of the lesson. The instructors provided drinking water, rash guard, reef shoes and surf boards. The course was highly recommended by concierge services at the Disney Resort and the photos I found online made me feel comfortable with the purchase.
We woke up early in the morning and had a balanced breakfast because surfing is a full body workout. We ordered room service so we could hang out in our room and listen to the waves crash on the sand from our balcony. I had a cheese and bacon omelet with a side of Portuguese sausage and Jenn had a Spanish omelet with a side of pineapple. Breakfast was $80.00 with beverages, gratuity and a room service charge. After breakfast we headed toward the beach. The lessons were taking place about twenty minutes away and parking was a little tricky. The parking area was filled with trees and no real designated parking areas. I parked between two trees and left just enough room for me to maneuver out of the spot. It was nice to get to the beach ahead of all the other students. We took some pictures and took time to appreciate the beach and the water before she got started. The beach was great because the sand was warm but not uncomfortably hot for a June morning. All of the sand appeared to be pushed up so we had to walk down the beach to the water. The waves were not too high but since I am a novice swimmer I would not test the water. For this leg of the trip I was the designated photographer and spectator. I am not a big ocean lover and the idea of riding on top of a surfboard in water makes me feel like a hot entrée for the fish below.
The first half of the class the training was done on the sand. The instructors taught safety, how to pop up on the board, how to direct the board, and how to properly fall off of the board. Jenn’s class had about eight people and there were four instructors involved in the class but there were other instructors hanging around the beach as well. The training was done as a group but the instructors were sure to give one on one coaching with each student at each part of the class. After about twenty minutes they landed into the water and everyone had a great time. Ten minutes into the water portion of the class everyone started popping up on their boards. I jumped up from my spot on the beach, ran closer to the water and started taking pictures of my wife riding the waves. One by one the students started riding waves and popping up like naturals. It was at this point I noticed the sun was hitting the high point for the day and I was starting to burn up on the beach. I had a towel to sit on but I did not have an umbrella or a beach chair. One of the instructors was nice enough to offer me his beach chair which was parked in the shade of an umbrella so I took full advantage of his offer. With ten minutes left in the class one of the instructors offered me a surfboard and told me to head into the water with him and he would give me a few minutes of training. I appreciated the gesture but there was no way I was going into the water with a surfboard.
When my wife got back on the beach she was so excited she could not stop smiling. The trainers said she was a natural and was the first person to pop up on her board. Once in the car to leave, she called her mother and told her about all the fun she had. I knew I had given her something she would cherish the rest of her life.
Hawaii Fire Surf School is a great class to take when you are in Hawaii. Regardless of your talent level or gender it is exhilarating to catch a wave on the beaches of Oahu. However, I would not recommend taking the class if you are not comfortable in the water. Everyone is given a life vest but it will be a challenging day if you are not somewhat confident in the ocean. If you are like me and you are not interested in Surf School but your travel partner is, offer your support. Attend the class with him/her and plan on being on the beach for a few hours. Be sure to pack a towel, umbrella, beach chair, water and a few snacks. Lastly, get to the beach early. The beach where the Surf School is located is a little tricky to get to and parking can be challenging.